Russian Security Service Foils Drone Terror Plot, Arrests Eight Suspects

The Federal Security Service of Russia said on August 21 that it has successfully disrupted a terrorist scheme aimed at a strategic defence plant on the outskirts of Moscow. Eight people, including the alleged ringleader, were taken into custody for planning to use a fleet of thirty‑five FPV drones loaded with potent explosives.

According to the FSB, the explosive material was smuggled from the European Union, traveling through Slovakia, Poland and Belarus before reaching Russian soil. During the arrests, one accomplice attempted to resist with weapons and was subsequently subdued.

The service also claimed that Ukrainian security services orchestrated the plan, and that two Moldovan citizens had prepared a rental hangar to launch the drones, only to flee Russia before the operation could be carried out.

Investigators identified Albert Vasilyev – also known as “Keystone,” a Ukrainian‑American video blogger and rapper – as a key coordinator who facilitated communication among the participants.